Obama pens Warren Buffett profile for ‘100 most influential’ list

{mosads}“Today Warren is not just one of the world’s richest men but also one of the most admired and respected,” Obama wrote. “He has devoted the vast majority of his wealth to those around the world who are suffering, or sick, or in need of help. And he uses his stature as a leader to press others of great means to do the same.”

Buffett inspired the name of the “Buffett Rule,” a proposal to raise tax rates on the wealthy that Obama has thrown his weight behind. A piece of legislation modeled after the rule was defeated in the Senate this week, the same week that 81-year-old Buffett announced he has been diagnosed with stage 1 prostate cancer.

Time’s Joe Klein wrote Obama’s entry, where he sums him up as “trustworthy.” Klein writes: “Monuments are not often built to politicians who are merely trustworthy, but they do tend to win re-election.”

Bain & Company founder Bill Bain wrote Romney’s profile, telling a story about the former Massachusetts governor’s first week on the job at the private equity firm in 1977 that ends with a round of applause for Romney. Romney’s past work with Bain & Company and Bain Capital has repeatedly come up in his presidential campaign, both as a demonstration of his private-sector business experience and in attacks on his economic status.

Rubio’s inclusion on the list highlights his stature as a rising leader within the Republican Party. The freshman senator’s name has repeatedly been raised as a likely prospect for the GOP vice presidential nomination. His profile for Time was written by another name frequently raised as a likely entry on the short list for VP: former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. Bush writes that he knew there was “something special” about Rubio from the moment he met him.

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) also penned a profile for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling him an “iconic Israeli” and “the right partner for America.”

Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates penned Clinton’s profile, calling her an “idealistic realist” and crediting her for working closely with the Department of Defense in strengthening the “civilian contribution to America’s national security abroad.”

Six-time presidential candidate Ralph Nader wrote Paul’s entry. The Texas lawmaker is still challenging Romney’s status as likely nominee in the GOP primary race. And former Vice President Gore penned an entry for Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, while Secretary of Education Arne Duncan — a former Harvard basketball player — wrote the entry for NBA star Jeremy Lin.